6 Steps to Manage Schedule For Big Projects
Sunday, May 8, 2016, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
All projects need a schedule. If you have a small project perhaps the schedule is a simple checklist or Excel spreadsheet.
As projects get larger they need more formal scheduling templates and tools.
The processes you use to manage a schedule will also vary depending on the size of the project. Large projects need a lot of schedule management rigor. Small projects can use a lighter process.
The following steps can be used to manage a schedule on most projects.
-
Review the schedule on a weekly basis.
-
Identify activities that have been completed during the previous week and update the schedule to show they are finished.
-
Determine whether there are activities that should be completed, but are not. Work with the individual that is assigned to the work see what is going on. Determine how much additional effort and duration are needed to complete the work and update the schedule accordingly.
-
Evaluate the remaining work to see if the project will be completed within the original duration. You may find that even though some activities may be completing later than planned, other activities may be completing early and the overall schedule may still be okay.
-
If your project is trending behind schedule, think of schedule management techniques you can apply to get back on schedule. Raise a schedule risk in your status report if the original deadline appears to be in jeopardy.
-
Adjust the schedule so that it reflects the remaining work to be completed, and is as accurate as possible.
Since this is a process for a big project, it would be unusual to not have some problems with the schedule.
Nevertheless the consequences of problems on big projects are generally small if the project manager has laid out the schedule more thoroughly and in detail.
Throw us a like at Facebook.com/doable.financeCourtesy of…
This column is © copyright to www.Method123.com and originally appeared in their weekly project management tip newsletter.
Use the best project management process in the world. Method123 Project Management Methodology (MPMM) is used by tens of thousands of customers around the world.
Take a test drive with the free trial download.
Buy MPMM today – NOW with extra program management and IT development modules.
